Nate Sutter
Nate Sutter is the main character and protagonist of the novel. A fifth-grader, Nate and his family have recently moved to a small town in California. For any child, a move like this is hard, but Nate proves to be very adaptable, adding to the dynamic of his character.
Nate befriends three people at school - Summer, Pigeon, and Trevor. All of them start working at a candy ship owned by Belinda White, doing small chores like sweeping the floor. Things get out of hand when Belinda asks them to poison someone, and Trevor gets captured by her. Near the end of the novel, Nate bravely sacrifices himself in place of Trevor, and is forced to get a vial from the Fountain of Youth for Belinda.
Belinda White
Belinda White is the owner of a candy shop in California. She appears to be like a kind woman at first, but later turns out to be the antagonist of the novel. When she asks the children that have been working for her to poison the food of a magician that she doesn't like, they begin to doubt her. It is easy to question Belinda's sanity, because she claims she is a magician giving magic candy and wants to drink from the Fountain of Youth.
Pigeon (Paul) Bowen
Pigeon, a nickname for Paul, is a shy boy that goes to the same school as Nate. Pigeon initially helps with the candy store, but thinks things have gotten out of hand when Belinda asks to poison someones food.
Summer Atler
Like Pigeon, Summer is a student at Nate's school. She, however, is more outgoing, but still refuses to help with Belinda's evil scheme.
Trevor
Trevor is the fourth and final member of the group, and perhaps the most daring and outgoing. Trevor makes his debut of bravery when he takes over Belinda's shop so that she can't do any more harm. This plan, however, fails disastrously, and Belinda takes him hostage. Nate eventually gets captured in place of Trevor, and Trevor escapes safely.
